Thinking of buying a Japanese import

mrsdewinter

I'm in the market for buying a smallish hybrid car and I have my eye on a couple of nice cars at dealers that specialise in Japanese imports because it looks like you get more bang for your buck.

But am I setting myself up for a world of pain in buying away from a major dealer and getting a car that has no Irish/UK service history? I'm thinking in terms of service & repairs in the future.

User1998

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058209519/thinking-of-buying-a-japanese-import

No not at all. Most of the Japanese imports have full service history and its easy to decipher what has been done and what hasn’t from the diagrams on the service history

mrsdewinter

That's good to hear - thank you!

Magown3

One thing to take note of. The radio will more or less need to be replaced as the Japanese radios FM range goes from 70-91 (approx) so you'll only get 2 stations.

I bought a Fit Hybrid recently, great car, and I don't mind spending the money on a head unit, but I want to retain the steering wheel controls and the reverse camera.

Stallingrad

I'd suggest only buying an import of the same model that we have here. That way if you do need parts it won't be a problem. There are quite a few Japanese cars that were never sold here, those are best avoided if you are concerned about servicing and support.

You're unlikely to know the true history of the car, so as with any used car buy on condition, have someone who knows there stuff give it a good going over.

Bazzy

We bought a Honda Fit a year ago, insurance wasnt an issue. The garage fitted a band expander to the japanese radio, But I replaced it with a double din touch screen job plug and play. Small bit fiddly. I was concerned about the availability of parts but I googled a few part numbers from various parts of the car that I could see and they we're all available online We got a folder full of stuff with the car from japan granted its all in japanese but its history.

Magown3

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117939185#Comment_117939185

Hi Bazzy,

Can you give any further details on your new double din touch screen? What did you go for and is it any good or not? Looking to pull the trigger on one at the moment.

How was the install? I'm hoping to retain the original camera and functioning steering wheel controls.

Magown3

@Bazzy

Bazzy

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117970080#Comment_117970080

I installed it myself Mine didnt have a reverse camera I might put one in at a later stage

The install itself was very handy i'm not overly mechanically minded and took my time and had it done in less than an hour

I got the iso lead and a radio from a company in the UK

The radio I got was a Pioneer MVH-A210BT and the harness was a CT20HD05

From my research at the time you will need another lead for the steering wheel controls and depending on whats behind the current radio you will probably need something to make the reverse camera compatible with the new stereo, I haven't done that yet so am no good to you there i'm afraid

The only tricky part of the install was the bolt on the bottom just take your time and you'll be grand

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D-ckYavRoNo

Magown3

What about the FM aerial?

I've had the stereo out already to check the connections and see what harnesses I needed. I noticed the aerial wasn't the usual